Product Description

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #645084 in Books
• Published on: 2005-03-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 144 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Seven of Andy's gerbils have escaped from their cage at home (and his mother hates animals). At school, preoccupied with thoughts of his pets on the loose, the boy offers "China" as the solution to a math problem. And just when he's about to ask his parents if his friend Tamika (whose foster parents are moving away for a year) can come live with the Russell family, he learns that his mother is pregnant. Such are the woes of Andy Russell, whom Adler (author of the Cam Jansen books) introduces in this jaunty novel, the first of a series. Displaying a knack for creating credible characters and amusing dialogue, Adler shapes a cast that youngsters will want to follow up on in future tales. Among them are Tamika, whose birth parents are recovering from a serious car accident; and earnest Bruce, Andy's best friend. Other personalities with potential are Rachel, Andy's snippy older sister, who condescendingly refers to his pets as "mice"; and Stacy Ann, the class brown-noser who corrects Andy's wrong answers "in her best I-know-and-you-don't tone." Though the hero manages to solve his problems this time, it won't be long before he next hits hot water. Readers will likely be standing by when he does. Ages 7-10.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
Grade 3-5-Fourth-grader Andy Russell faces a host of problems over a period of a few days. They range from escaped gerbils to finding out that his mother is pregnant to worrying about a friend who would like to live with Andy's family because her foster parents are going to South America. All of the boy's troubles, though, great or small, are described in a fast-paced, breezy style and kids will be sure to identify with his befuddlement and concerns. Fortunately, Andy's best friend is on hand to supply some funny one-liners. The black-and-white illustrations capture the humor of the story, although readers may be somewhat unsettled by the 180 degree swivel of snotty Stacy Ann's head on one of the pages. This is the first in a series of books about Andy and his friends, a fact that will undoubtedly be good news to many young readers.
Todd Morning, Schaumburg Township Public Library, IL
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Gr. 2^-5. A new beginning chapter book series introduces Andy Russell, in many ways a typical fourth-grade kid. Andy wants to do well in school but has problems paying attention in class; he's got a perfectionist, goody-goody older sister he admires and envies but inadvertently manages to aggravate; he wants to show his folks he's responsible, but it seems timing is everything, and Andy's is just a little off. His pet gerbils escape; his friend Tamika needs a new foster family; his mother is pregnant. Andy's family and friends certainly face real challenges and hardships, but issues are somewhat oversimplified and treated superficially as the book heads quickly toward its almost fairy tale^-like ending. Still, Adler paves the way for part two of Andy's inevitable new challenges--coping with a new baby in the family and adjusting to life with Tamika as a foster sibling. The text, accompanied by black-and-white drawings by Will Hillenbrand, is friendly and accessible, and the characters are engaging; kids will no doubt relate to Andy's snowballing troubles, both great and small, and appreciate the simple humor. Shelle Rosenfeld

Customer Reviews

great book
Andy Russell is a young boy who's life is full of troubles. His gerbils have escaped. He's having trouble paying attention in class. His best friend needs a place to stay while her parents are recovering from a car accident and he's sure his parents will say no! They just found out his mother is going to have a baby!




What did you like or not like about the book?

This is the first book in the Andy Russell series. Kids will enjoy this and look for the others that follow it.


Would you recommend this book? Why or Why not?
I would recommend this book. I feel that kids can relate to the characters in the book well.

Lots of trouble for Andy
Good book for children just starting with chapter books. Everytime Andy turns around it seems that he is getting into trouble, whether its his fault or not. Kids will enjoy the pranks in the classroom and may get into the deeper character of Tanisha, who lives with Andy's family while her parents recover in a rehabilitation center from an accident.

The only reason I didn't give it more stars was how the classroom was described and how the substitute teacher was written. She is new to teaching and walks in not knowing how to handle the class and gives them tasks that are outrageous for their age, yet it seems they complete all the tasks given to them and only complain.